Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is still the hegemon in the global browser market, but a dispute has emerged as to which browser takes second place.

According to metrics firm Statcounter, Google’s Chrome browser had 25.69 percent of the global browser market in November, whilst Firefox had 25.23 percent. This marks the first time that Chrome has ever usurped Firefox for the position of number 2.

Rival metrics firm Net Applications claims that Chrome isn’t quite number two just yet, as the firm claims the browser has 18.8 percent of the market share versus Firefox’s 22.14 percent.

Statcounter says that their methodology is the most accurate because it measures actual browser usage and not just downloads.

“We can look forward to a fascinating battle between Microsoft and Google,” Aodhan Cullen, CEO of StatCounter, said in a statement. “As the pace of growth of Chrome suggests that it will become a real rival to Internet Explorer globally.”

Microsoft lamented their continued dominance in a blog post that read, “IE9 usage share on Windows 7 worldwide is now higher than all versions of Chrome and all versions of Firefox—second only to IE8.”

Firefox had it’s day as one of the first massively popular alternatives to IE. After 3.6 is where it started to slip off and lose it’s user base. That’s when I stopped using it and many others. Versions 4-7 have no distinction and really copied Opera. I have been using Chrome and Opera since and couldn’t be happier. The breaking point was when Firefox was becoming too add-on heavy, slow, and a memory hog.

I updated to IE9 for one reason only. To keep W7 updated with the latest security patches. I only use IE9 for a few compatibility issues Firefox may have on a new release.

I ‘still’ hate Chrome. Does any linux version natively come with Chrome nowadays? Ubuntu is sticking with Firefox latest versions in the installer to date.

Also, Dfvfd, I think you are talking about a new ‘feature’ in Firefox which all other browsers will probably copy so you may want to get used to it. The side on Firefox 8 will now play your youtube video or presentation in a search without every having to go to the page. It appears to be a integrated version of the Coolris Add-On. Personally, after adjusting to what they implemented, I like that feature on a search page.